Hypertext Almanac

Fur, Felt and Food

Our colleagues from The Times [continue](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article6965700.ece) [to write](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/outdoors/article6977947.ece) about the inhabitants of Siberia who live permanently in a horrific frosts:

> Fur, felt and food are Siberia’s holy trinity for surviving and thriving in [exceptionally cold weather](http://metkere.com/en/2010/01/ice-yoda.html). “If Britain is getting a dose of our weather, then tell people to put on a fur coat and hat – real, of course”, – says Galina Ivanovna, 62, who stands at her outdoor market stall in Novosibirsk for six hours a day. In temperatures as low as minus 38C,she has little appetite for animal rights.

>

> “Wear valenki, boots made from wool felt, and put on lots of woollen clothes underneath”, she adds. “You need good thick gloves, like the ones I sell, and make sure you protect your neck with a really warm scarf. Thick, long socks too. Above all, eat a good breakfast before you go out. I usually have fried potatoes cooked in lard and a mug of lemon tea with three sugars”.

Obviously, journalists are trying to inspire the freezing UK citizens. We hope they are successful.